59 Chapter 59 (2/2)
So, his parents were the reason he was a core. James made a mental note to thank them the next time he saw them. While he was certain he could have had a lot of fun playing as an adventurer, being a core was offering him a unique experience he had never had before. His parents had always been keen to give him such experiences growing up. Adding in Rue as his companion, was just the icing on the cake, in James's mind.
”And, because of them, you cannot treat me like the rest of the cores?” The conversation had come full circle, and it was all making sense now. Why Xander acted so coldly to him, why Xander was so angry about the entire situation. James and Rue were already a singular part of Xander's experiment that he didn't have control over. Something someone like Xander would definitely hate. But now, by a turn of strange luck, James and Rue had just gotten Steve's parting gift. That meant now Steve, whom James was certain Xander hated, got to have a say in a small part of the experiment, because Xander couldn't erase James from the system.
”Exactly.” Xander let out a small sigh. ”Like I said, had it been anyone else, this would have been easy to fix.”
”So, what are we going to do now?”
”Ideally, we come to a small agreement. I continue to simply monitor the experiment as I see fit, and you keep these secrets and knowledge to yourself.” Xander smirked. ”The whole reason I told you all of this, and had you sign the non-disclosure, was so that when you slip up, I have permission to remove you from my experiment, permanently.” Xander let out a dark laugh, which sent a chill down James's spine. The developer had just given himself a level of control over James that he really didn't want.
”What type of agreement?” James really had no choice but to ask.
”First, obviously you cannot disclose any of what I have told you. Second, you must continue to wear your AR glasses full time, so I can personally monitor you and ensure you are following the first part of the agreement.” Another chill rushed through James. That explained how Xander knew what James had said to Dwight and the others. Just how little privacy was there in the world? Was the government spying on everyone as in depth? Or was it just because Xander had taken an exception to James?
”Anything else?” The first part of the agreement was obvious, and the second, well James had no reason not to accept it. Augmented reality was part of what made reality bearable at times.
”You must build a monument to me, as the All-seeing God, Yarx, on your third floor.” James blinked at Xander's third statement. He had read some of the games' lore, especially after Rue made a shrine to herself as the Goddess of Luck. Slowly, realization crossed his mind.
”Yarx, as in, X-Ray backwards?” Of course, Xander wrote himself in as the highest god in the game. Why wouldn't the conceited, self-centered developer do that. It was just the type of Easter Egg gamers would find amusing. Little did they know just how much power Xander currently had. He really did make it seem like he was all-seeing.
”Exactly. Rue has her own shrine, so I demand one of my own as well in your instance.”
”Fine.” James hated the fact that Xander was going to be profiting in some way from his dungeon. However, he was in no position to argue with the developer. Xander held all the cards, currently James held none.
”I'm glad you are sensible.” The grin on Xander's face was the same one James knew countless gamers had seen when Xander defeated them. ”With that all decided, how about we call it a day?”
The developer snapped his fingers, and a moment later, James was in his pod, awake.